Protection of undersea cables causing concern

Protection of undersea cables causing concern



March 10, 2016

Following the recent snapping of four undersea cables carrying global Internet traffic, security concerns about cables have been raised for the first time.

The breaks, which occurred in February at four different locations in West Asia, have been repaired but have captured the attention of various governments. Work needs to be done on global co-operative efforts with the various nations which have already taken proactive steps.

The first two snaps are believed to have been caused by a ship dragging its anchor near Egypt, which affected traffic to West Asia and the Indian subcontinent. The third was between the UAE and Oman. Nothing concrete is known about the cause of the snap. The fourth cable connected Qatar and the UAE and was due to a power outage.

It is being proposed that governments should play a role in cable security, and that it should not be left solely to the 86-member cable company consortium, International Cable Protection Committee.

Undersea cables carry approximately 95% of global Internet traffic, and need to be secured against accidental damage, technical glitches and sabotage attempts. A terrorist plan to attack cables cannot be fully ruled out. Ever since 9/11, eventualities that would not have been factored in earlier have emerged as security concerns.

Tim Yeo

Related Posts

Government launches broadband for children initiative

Comments Off on Government launches broadband for children initiative

Vodafone partners with UAE operator

Comments Off on Vodafone partners with UAE operator

Daisy Group rejigs management team

Comments Off on Daisy Group rejigs management team

MEPs vote to cut roaming charges

Comments Off on MEPs vote to cut roaming charges

Zhone Technologies launches XP line up

Comments Off on Zhone Technologies launches XP line up

Occam Networks offers double blade

Comments Off on Occam Networks offers double blade

Welsh debut for BT’s superfast broadband

Comments Off on Welsh debut for BT’s superfast broadband

Plans for Tele2 to sell its Spanish operations

Comments Off on Plans for Tele2 to sell its Spanish operations

SMS blood donor initiative in Portugal

Comments Off on SMS blood donor initiative in Portugal

China’s digital TV subscribers close to 25 million mark

Comments Off on China’s digital TV subscribers close to 25 million mark

Misleading iPhone advert banned

Comments Off on Misleading iPhone advert banned

London remains Wi-Fi capital

Comments Off on London remains Wi-Fi capital

Create Account



Log In Your Account